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West Virginians have been desperately searching for the means to loosen the grip of the substance abuse epidemic that has plagued us for so long. Perhaps this week's distribution of the first round of West Virginia First Foundation Initial Opportunity grant funding will mark the turning of the tide.
Sitting on nearly $1 billion of opioid settlement money, the foundation's statewide expert panel had $19.2 million to grant to successful applicants -- across the six regions of the state, with up to four target areas per region.
The panel was able to distribute only $10.4 million, as the distribution was limited to nonprofit organizations with a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and other kinds of nonprofits and organizations that fulfill a charitable or public purpose, and some applicants were rejected.
Of the 38 allotments of funding announced, though, only one is going to Region 1, representing the Northern Panhandle. The Wheeling Police Department's Crisis Intervention Team is set to receive $463,634. We hope other programs from our area, especially in Hancock and Brooke counties, receive better consideration for future awards, and we would encourage them to apply again.
"The opioid crisis continues to be a profound challenge for our state, and these funds represent a crucial step in addressing the epidemic with both urgency and care," said Jonathan Board, WVFF executive director. "We're proud to celebrate the incredible work of our awardees and to support them in creating measurable, sustainable change. At the same time, the Supplemental Round allows us to extend opportunities for even greater impact."
Those organizations whose grants applications were rejected must heed the panel's urging and address deficiencies in their applications before reapplying (provided their initial application had been submitted by Oct. 5).
There is much work to do, and the more people and resources we can dedicate to projects that will truly make a difference, the faster we can emerge from this mess. Elected officials and policymakers must play their part, too, in helping to lift all West Virginians by aiming for a diversified and growing economy; improved education system; access to quality, affordable health care; and avoiding intentionally backward socio-cultural crusades that crush hope.
But for now the heavy lifting is up to the organizations pitching their ideas to the West Virginia First Foundation panel. Some of them are now ready to get to work.
"The holidays can be a challenging time for many, and we hope this announcement reinforces a message of hope, recovery, and progress for West Virginia communities," said Matthew Harvey, WVFF chairman of the board.
It should. The task now is to keep that hope growing.